CVE-2017-1178 in Endpoint Manager for Security
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Endpoint Manager for Security and Compliance 1.9.70 is vulnerable to cross-site scripting. This vulnerability allows users to embed arbitrary JavaScript code in the Web UI thus altering the intended functionality potentially leading to credentials disclosure within a trusted session. IBM X-Force ID: 123430.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
IBM Endpoint Manager for Security and Compliance version 1.9.70 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that represents a critical security flaw in the web-based user interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user input before rendering it in web pages. The flaw exists in the web UI components that process user-supplied data without adequate sanitization mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious JavaScript code through carefully crafted input fields or parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users interact with the web interface and unknowingly execute malicious scripts embedded by an attacker. When the vulnerable application displays user-controllable data without proper encoding or validation, the injected JavaScript code gets executed in the context of the victim's browser session. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can manipulate the intended functionality of the application, potentially gaining access to sensitive session information, credentials, or other confidential data that would normally be protected within the trusted session environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms by enabling session hijacking or credential theft through the execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass potential full system compromise and unauthorized access to security configurations. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, modifying web page content to deceive users, or even executing arbitrary commands on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where IBM Endpoint Manager is used for security compliance management, as it could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical security policies, configuration data, and monitoring information. This weakness undermines the integrity of the security posture by enabling attackers to manipulate the very tools designed to protect the organization from threats.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including immediate patching of the affected IBM Endpoint Manager version to the latest security releases. The remediation process must involve thorough input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent JavaScript injection attacks, following the principle of least privilege for web application components. Security teams should deploy web application firewalls and content security policies to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The mitigation efforts should align with industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that the organization maintains robust defenses against persistent threats. Regular security training for administrators and users remains crucial to prevent social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.